Inking mechanism for printing presses



April 1952 w. c. RUPP INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRES-SE5 Filed May5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. W/L L IAM C. RUPP April 1, 1952 w. c.RUPP INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5,1947 INVENTOR. fiv /LL/AM c. reu p 6564A; 4 r j/m [n04 P 1952 w. c. RUPPINKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 3 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed May 5.1947 Jig. /Z

INVENTOR. m4. L 1AM. c. 1e upp ATTonA/E VJ.

Patented Apr. 1, 1952 INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES William C.Rupp, Parma, Ohio, assignor to The Chandler & Price Company, Cleveland,Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application May 3, 1947, Serial No. 745,693

7 Claims.

This invention relates, as indicated, to an improved inking mechanismfor printing presses, and more particularly to inking mechanism which isparticularly adapted for platen printing presses of the so-called Gordontype. It will be understood, however, that the inking mechanism of thisinvention may be employed with other types of printing presses where aform is to be inked by transfer of ink from a suitable fountain or likesource spaced from such form.

In such presses the ink is customarily transferred from the fountainonto a distributing disk or plate by means of rollers which travelbackand forth across the latter and the ink is then in turn transferredfrom such disk or plate to the form by the same or a. second similar setof rollers. Various rather elaborate devices for supporting the fountainand fountain roller have been employed in the past and means provided toregulate the amount of ink taken by such fountain roller from thefountain. Thus, it is ordinarily desirable that when the press is inthrow-01f position the fountain should cease to supply ink to the inkingrollers inasmuch as the press will not be printing and an excessiveamount of ink would otherwise be applied to the form- It is, however,occasionally desirable that the fountain should continue to operate evenwhen the press is in throw-off position, as'when making ready the pressfor printing, since it may take fifteen minutes or more'of operation toobtain proper distribution of the ink on the rollers, disk, and form.

It is, therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide animproved and simplified support for the fountain which will compriserelatively few parts and will be easy to maintain and adjust.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means forregulating the contact of the ink distributing rollers with the fountainroller.

Still another object is to provide means adapted automatically to stopthe operation of the fountain roller when the press is shifted intothrow-off position.

A further object is to provide means whereby the operator may adjustsuch fountain roller operating means to continue operation even when thepress is in throw-01f position, when so desired. Other objects willbecome apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but afew of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may beemployed.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a platen printing press showing mynew inking mechanism mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the bed of such press showingthe inking mechanism in greater detail;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational View of such inking mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the mechanism illustrated inFig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail perspective views of the two ratchet membersincluded in such mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of such mechanism illustrating theoperation thereof when the press is printing;

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 7 showing the action of suchmechanism when the press is in throw-off position;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view partly in section showing the adjustablesupporting means for the inking mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a portion of such supporting means; and

Figs. 11 and 12 are end and side elevational views respectively of thelocking element comprising a part of such supporting means.

Referring now to said drawings, and especially Figs. 1 and 2 thereof,the bed I of the press in the face 2 of which the form (not shown) isadapted to be secured is pivotally mounted at its lower end about anaxis 3 in the main frame 4 of the press. Oscillation of bed I toward andaway from the main frame of the press is obtained by means of connectingrods or side arms 5, one on each side, which are attachedat one end tocranks 6 on a rotating part 1 of the press and at the other end to thecorresponding ends of a shaft 8 which extends transversely through thebed. The last-named connections include eccentrics, by oscillation ofwhich the bed may be displaced sufficiently so as to 'preventthe formfrom coming into contact with the platen 9. such shifting of theeccentric connections just referred to being effected in the usualmanner. by throw-off means, including hand lever Ill and inter-connectedlinks and levers ll, I2, l3, l4, and I5. I

Also oscillatorily mounted on shaft 8 are roller frames l6, one on eachside of the bed,which carry form rollers I! which are mounted in theusual manner in the forward portion of such frames. Oscillation offrames I6 is produced in the usual manner, as the bed I rocks back andvforth, by means of a link l8 connected at one end to a pivot I9 spacedfrom axis 8 and at the other end to a fixed pivot 20 on the main frameofthe press.

An ink distributing plate or disk 2| is mounted for rotation in abracket 22 which projects upwardly from bed Ink distributing rollers 23and 24 together with vibrating roller 25 are mounted in carriagesconsisting of side frames 25. Such carriages are provided with spacedrollers 21 and 28 travelling in outwardly facing channel guide-ways 29.Reciprocation of such carriages, and thereby of the ink distributingrollers across disk 2|, is obtained by means of link 30 pivotallyconnecting one of such carriages to a boss 3| on side frame member 16.Rollers 23 and 24 are provided with truck wheels on their respectiveends which are adapted to run on tracks 32 disposed in parallel relationone on each side of disk 2|, these tracks continuing as curved sections33 which then extend downwardly alongside the face of bed I in which theform is secured. Ther is thus formed a continuous track-way from a pointadjacent the upper or rear edge of the disk to a point lying below thelower edge of such form so that form rollers l1 may travel upwardlyalong such track-way and across the ink distributing disk 2| after afilm of ink has been transferred thereto by distributing rollers 23 and24. 9

To assist in the even distribution of ink on the disk by such rollersmeans may be provided for imparting a step-by-step rotative movement tothe disk. An suitable means may be employed for this purpose, such asthat shown and describe in Patent No. 2,079,172 to L. R. Johnson et211., dated May 4 1937.

The ink fountain with which this invention is primarily concernedcomprises spaced side members 34 with fountain roller 35 journalledtherebetween. A flexible blade 36 is adjusted by hand screws 31 toregulate the amount of ink taken up by roller 35. Sid frames 34 arecarried by arms 38 pivotally mounted at 33 in brackets 40 secured toupwardly extending portions 22 of the bed. Side members 34 are alsoconnected to extensions of brackets 40 by means of a pair of links eachcomprising an adjusting screw 4| adapted to be locked in adjustedposition by nut 42. The upper ends of such screws are threadably engagedin bosses 43 pivotally mounted on a shaft between side members 34 and attheir lower ends ar threadably engaged in bosses 44 pivotally mounted oneccentric shaft 45 journalled in brackets 40. One such boss 44 isprovided with two spring-backe plungers 45 and 41 adapted. to engage inrecesses 48 in annular knurled hand control 49 secured to shaft 45 bymeans of set screw 50.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the fountain as a whole may beelevated or lowered by turning screws 4| thereby to adjust the positionof fountain roller 35 to obtain proper contact between such fountainroller and ink distributing rollers 23 and 24. By turning hand knob 49eccentric shaft 45 may be rotate to obtain a final delicate adjustmenteven during operation of the press.

Shaft carrying fountain roller 35, extends laterally of the fountainand, is provided with two ratchets 5'2 and 53 keyed thereon. To the endof such shaft is aflixed a hand-wheel 54 by means of which the fountainroller may be manually rotated when desired. Pivotally mounted on shaft5| intermediate such wheel and ratchet 53 is a link 55 in which isjournalled a small shaft 56. A dog or pawl 51 is secured to such shaftby means of a set screw and is adapted. to engage with either ratchet 52or 53 according to the lateral position of the shaft (see Fig. 4). Suchshaft and the pawl secured thereto may be laterally shifted to bringsuch pawl into position to engage the selected ratchet by raising thepawl as shown in dotted line in Fig. 'I so that the shoulder on suchpawl avoids stop 58. When the pawl is in operating position as shown insolid line it thus cannot become accidentally displaced. A long link 59pivotally connects the end of link 55 and frame I5 eccentrically of theaxis of oscillation of such frame.

The principle of operation of such mechanism will now be evident.Ratchet 52 is provided with a greater number of teeth (in this caseseven) than ratchet 53 (shown with six teeth). When the press isoperating, pawl 51 will ordinarily be set to ngage ratchet 53, themovement imparted to such pawl by frame l6 and links 59 and 55 beingjust suflicient to cause such engagement (see Figs. 2 and 7). Fountain.roller 35 will thus be turned through one-sixth of a revolution for eachimpression. When the throw-off mechanism is operated, bed I no longeroscillates through the same are and the pawl 51 is not reciprocated farenough to engage the next tooth on ratchet 53 (see Figs. 1 and 8), sothat fountain roller 35 now ceases to turn. When the throw-off isreleased and printing recommences the pawl will again engage ratchet 53and operat the fountain roller as before.

As above indicated, it is occasionally desired to operate the fountaineven when not printing, as when making ready, and the pawl may then beshifted to engage ratchet 52. Since this ratchet has a larger number ofteeth but is of the same diameter the pawl will continue to engage thesame despite the reduced reach of the pawl when the press is inthrow-off position. It may obviously also be used during printing, ifdesired, when there will be somewhat more lost motion and the fountainroller will be turned only one-seventh of a revolution instead ofone-sixth when ratchet 53 is employed.

It will be apparent that ratchet 52 may be provided with a large numberof teeth, the only effect on shifting the press into throw-off positionbeing to reduce the number of teeth included in a single stroke of thepawl and accordingly somewhat reduce the extent of rotation of such pawland fountain roller. Also, since it is the circumferential spacing ofthe ratchet teeth which determines engagement or non-engagement by thepawl, two ratchets of different diameters may be employed with anyappropriate number of teeth.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided novel inkingmechanism for printing presses which is relatively simple inconstruction but sensitively adjustable to meet the pressman's needs.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed,change being made as regards the details described, provided thefeatures stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent ofsuch, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In inking mechanism for platen printing presses, a fountain includinga fountain roller, means pivotally connecting said fountain to the bedof the press, and means operative to adjust the position of saidfountain about said pivotal connection comprising adjustable supportingmeans on the bed of such press for said fountain, said supporting meansincluding longitudinally adjustable link means pivotally connected tosaid fountain at its upper end and pivotally connected to an eccentriccarried by such bed at its lower end, and means operative to rotate saideccentric and hold the same in selected rotative position.

shiftably mounted selectively to drive one of said ratchets, and linkmeans operative to reciprocate said pawl, said link means beingconnected to the bed of such press for operation by oscillation of suchbed, whereby when such press is shifted into throw-off position inconventional manner and the arc of oscillation of such bed accordinglyaltered, the distance said pawl is reciprocated will likewise bealtered, said link thereupon being operative to reciprocate said pawl alimited distance only enabling operative engagement of said pawl withsaid ratchet having the teeth of lesser circumferential spacing butinsufiicient to enable operative engagement with said ratchet having theteeth of greater circumferential spacing.

3. In inking mechanism for platen printing presses including a fountainand a fountain roller, means operative to rotate such roller comprisingtwo ratchets respectively having teeth of different circumferentialspacing, a pawl selectively operative to drive either one of saidratchets, and means operative in response to shifting of such press intonon-printing position effective to reduce the reach of said pawl to anextent still enabling operative engagement of said pawl with saidratchet having the teeth of lesser circumferential spacing but beinginsufficient to enable operative engagement with *said ratchet havingthe teeth of greater circumferential spacing.

4. In inking mechanism for platen printing presses including a fountainand a fountain roller, means operative to rotate such roller comprisingtwo ratchets of substantially equal diameter but having a differentnumber of teeth, a pawl selectively operative to drive either one ofsaid ratchets and means operative in response to shifting of such pressinto non-printing position effective to reduce the reach of said pawl toan extent still enabling operative engagement of said pawl with saidratchet having the greater number of teeth but insuflicient to enableoperative engagement with said ratchet having the lesser number ofteeth.

5. In inking mechanism for platen printing presses including a fountainroller, means operative to rotate such roller comprising a ratchet, apawl operative to drive said ratchet and adapted to remain continuallyin contact therewith in all positions of the press, an oscillatable sideframe member adapted to carry the form rollersof the press, said sideframe member being oscillatably mounted on the bed of such press,eccentric press throw-off means in said bed operative to alter the arcof oscillation of such bed and of said side frame member whereby suchpress may be shifted into non-printing position, and link meansconnected to said side frame member and to said pawl operative normallyto reciprocate said pawl to drive said ratchet in response tooscillation of said side frame member during operation of such press,said link means being connected to said side frame member closelyadjacent said eccentric throw-off means and said throw-off means therebybeing operative to modify the action of said link means substantially toreduce the effective reach of said pawl.

6. In inking mechanism for platen presses having a main frame, a bedmember mounted for oscillation toward and away from such main frame, aroller frame pivotally mounted on such bed member for oscillationrelative thereto, a link pivotally interconnecting such main frame androller frame operative thus to oscillate the latter toward such mainframe when such bed member is rocked away from such main frame and awayfrom such main frame when such bed member is rocked toward such mainframe, throw-off means operative to shift the arc of oscillation of suchbed member away from such main frame and thus correspondingly to shiftthe arc of oscillation of such roller frame relative thereto, a fountainroller carried by such bed member above such roller frame, a ratchetadapted to turn such fountain roller, and a pawl adapted to drive suchratchet; a link pivotally interconnecting such roller frame and pawladapted to reciprocate the latter in response to such oscillation ofsuch roller frame, the point of pivotal connection of said latter linkto such roller frame being located closely adjacent and above suchpivotal mounting of the latter when such roller frame has been thusoscillated toward such main frame, whereby the arc of oscillation ofsuch point will be shifted toward such main frame and the extent ofreciprocation of said latter link will be accordingly reduced when suchbed member is in throw-off position, thus reducing the throw of saidpawl, and the spacing of adjacent teeth of such ratchet being onlyslightly less than the throw of such pawl during normal oscillation, andpress throw-off means operative to shift the arc of oscillation of thepoint of pivotal connection of said link and frame member and therebyreduce the extent of reciprocation of said link and therefore of suchpawl. the spacing of adjacent teeth of such ratchet being less than thethrow of such pawl during normal operation of such press but greaterthan such throw of such pawl as thus reduced.

WILLIAM C. RUPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 258,290 Gage May 23, 18821,159,860 Niles Nov. 9, 1915 1,352,159 Tyler Sept. '7, 1920 1,571,882Bechman Feb. 2, 1926 1,873,235 Wood Aug. 23. 1932 1,992,613 Hartley Feb.26, 1935

